In an iconic move, Hockey India announced to retire jersey number 16 in the senior team to honour PR Sreejesh, as the stalwart decided to sign off from the team after contributing to a pivotal role in India’s Bronze medal match against Spain in the Paris Olympics.
The announcement came on Wednesday at a felicitation function for the star goalkeeper.
Hockey India secretary, Bhola Nath Singh, confirmed, that Sreejesh will continue as Junior team coach.
He said, “Sreejesh is now going to be the junior team coach and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team. We are not retiring No. 16 for the junior team.”
Bhola Singh further added, “Sreejesh dusra Sreejesh ko paida karega in the junior team (Sreejesh will groom someone like him in the junior team who will wear the No.16 jersey)," said Singh
While lauding the veteran's contribution to the game, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said Sreejesh has earned the right to be considered the "God of Modern Indian Hockey".
Singh also formally announced that the affable 36-year-old, who competed for nearly two decades, will take up the role of the junior national coach.
"Sreejesh is now going to be the junior team coach and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team. We are not retiring No. 16 for the junior team," said Singh at a felicitation function for the veteran and other members of the team.
"Sreejesh dusra Sreejesh ko paida karega in junior team (Sreejesh will groom another Sreejesh in the junior team who will wear the No.16 jersey)," he added.
The players, who were present at the ceremony, wore identical red jerseys with Sreejesh's name on the back as a mark of respect for the Kerala man.
Also in attendance was pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals with her bronze medals in 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team (partnering Sarabjot Singh).
"It's difficult to put into words how grateful and honoured I feel about this gesture from Hockey India," he said.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh said the team is proud to have given Sreejesh a "fairytale farewell." "Sreejesh has become a crucial part of our lives. He has always guided us like an elder brother on and off the pitch," he said.
Tirkey thanked Sreejesh for his service to the game.
"This is not a farewell, but a celebration of everything PR Sreejesh has achieved and contributed to Indian Hockey over the 18 years. For what Sreejesh has given to Indian hockey, he should surely be called the 'God of Modern Indian Hockey'," he said.
The players, who were present at the ceremony, wore identical red jerseys with Sreejesh's name on the back as a mark of respect for the veteran from Kerala.
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